You might want to unplug it (and anything else that isn't surge protected) just in case there's a surge when it comes back on.

I doubt that you need to change the filter. If anything is growing in there, it's growing everywhere else in your plumbing and you don't really want to think about that do you? :) Just run a few gallons though the system and don't worry.

I just want to echo the advice to unplug now, before the power comes back on, your TV, computer, Tivo, etc. Also, unplug any kitchen appliances that have an electronic control board or touch pad--your range or wall oven, and your microwave. They can buzz out if the electricity comes back on with a surge, which it likely will.

Or flip all your circuit breakers if you don't want to try to find everything. (Thinking about how fun it would be to unplug my oven, even NOT in the dark!)

The longest I've been without power was ten days. We have a frost free sxs fridge/freezer and even though it was frost free - it "defrosted" during this time (we had already emptied everything out) and we did not realize the problem until water started coming out from under the fridge - made a real mess of the laminate flooring.

Cathy

We live in an area that has quite a few power outages. After losing a TV, a refrigerator and a wine cooler, we finally got a whole house surge protector and have had no problems since. When we had it installed last year, we were told by the electrician that we had a choice of a $1000 unit or a $100. He recommended the later since we didn't have lots of extra electronics. Total cost with installation was $200. Much cheaper than replacing all our appliances!

Yes, do unplug electronics & turn off circuit breakers for appliances before the power comes back on. When we built our current house several years ago, we installed a whole house surge protector. We also installed an emergency generator, which switches on automatically during a power failure & powers our refrigerator, freezer, wine cellar, a few lights, a power outlet, & one bedroom with AC/heat. Our neighbors have experienced big problems that we were able to avoid.

In addition to appliances, disconnect any heavy duty pumps you might have such as pool or jacuzzi pumps. Leave a light or two on so that you know when the power is restored.

This may sound silly, but if you unplug fridge/freezer (I don't, and never had a problem), post-it a note to remind yourself to turn them back on. It's easier to forget than you might think.

Wait a few minutes (at least 5) before you turn all your major appliances back on. It's pretty common to have "aftershock" outages because of the surge in demand when the power is retired. Waiting a few minutes will protect you through any on/off cycles until things stabilize.

If you've been using any alternate means of cooking, make sure your carbon monoxide & fire alarms are working. Just a good precaution.

Are you in Chicagoland or nothern Indiana? That same storm went through my area. We were without power from Friday night until Monday. It's back on now. My parents who live out in the country had it worse because no electricity for them also means no water and a flooded basement (sump pump doesn't work). I live in the city with neighbors close by. We got together and got a generator big enough to run all our freezers/fridges. I don't care about the lights etc. but I don't want all the food ruined and the mess of defrosting appliances. We run cords across the yards. It's a very noisy thing so we turn it off at night (fridges and freezers hold fine for a few hours). Might be an option for you down the road.

Oh yeah, and when my power came back on it was on for a few minutes than a large BAM echoed through the neighborhood and it was dark again. The advice on wait 5 minutes before plugging stuff back in is good. I might even make it 10. Good luck!

many of the 'through the door' ice dispensers do not react well to having the cubes in the bin melt and drip into the dispensing works.

Kitchen Aid is typical.
The water will drip into the auger motor used to feed ice,and then freeze in the driver motor when the power is turned back on.

You can salvage the motor by removing it and giving it a good dunk in denatured alcohol (90% isopropyl also works), then letting it dry for about 24 hours before putting it back in and hooking up.